NCAA Champion Henson to Redshirt in 2025-26

Big news out of Blacksburg today! The Virginia Tech sports information department announced via social media that 2024 NCAA champion Caleb Henson will redshirt during the 2025-26 campaign.

Henson was in the Hokie lineup for the 2022-23 season, as a true freshman, and immediately earned All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at the 149 lb weight class. A year later, Henson went 30-2 and became only the second Virginia Tech wrestler to capture an NCAA title after his 15-7 major decision victory over Austin Gomez (Michigan).

In 2024-25, Henson captured his second ACC title and went into the national tournament unbeaten. He later became just the second Virginia Tech wrestler to make multiple NCAA finals appearances. Henson was stopped from title number two in a 1-0 loss to Nebraska’s Ridge Lovett.

Before this news, Henson started the preseason ranked #1 in the nation at 149 lbs.

With the recent commitment of the #2 overall wrestler in the Class of 2026, Bo Bassett, the Hokies now have the opportunity to have Bassett and Henson back-to-back in the lineup during the 2026-27 season. Bassett could be tabbed to handle the 141 lb weight class right away for Virginia Tech.

Blue chip recruits Collin Gaj or Noah Nininger, along with returner Chris Bacchioni, will vie for the starting role at 149 lbs with Henson in redshirt.